Kalashtami Dates 2026

Kalashtami

What is Kalashtami?

Kalashtami (also Kala Ashtami) is the monthly fast for Lord Kala Bhairava, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha. Devotees pray to Bhairava for protection from fear, negative influences and misfortune.

The Kalashtami of Margashirsha (Purnimanta; Kartika in the Amanta calendar) is Kalabhairav Jayanti, the day Bhairava appeared, and the most important of the year.

Which day is it kept?

Bhairava is worshipped at night, so Kalashtami is kept on the day Krishna Ashtami prevails at sunset. The dates on this page are for your location.

How the fast is kept

Devotees fast during the day, visit a Bhairava or Shiva temple in the evening, offer mustard-oil lamps, black sesame and flowers, and recite the Kalabhairava Ashtakam. Many keep a night vigil. Dogs, regarded as Bhairava's vahana, are fed on this day.